The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-17
THE PRESIDENT AT BELLEMEADE.
The Versatile Press Correspondent Furnishes
an Awfully Funny Talk with Uncle Bob.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Oct. 16.-The President
has made the personal acquaintance of Uncle
| Bob Harding. Every stockman in the land
| knows Uncle Bob the colored major domo of the
Bellemeade stock farm, and one of the chief
authorities blooded stock in the world. He
is getting heavy, rotund, and little wheezy in
his old age, but is an exhaustless mine of rae
ing "reminiscences and horse-lore. II was in
tended that the day should be. for the Presid IT,
one of restful quiet. and SO it was; but the
temptation to a stroll over the park like sward
and among the lordly oaks Of the great breed
ing farm was irresistible. There were no
crowds-none but the family and servants about,
in fact-and the weather was perfect. So the
President and Mrs. Cleveland, accompa MED by
their host, General JAG kson sauntered OUT and
of course Uncle Bob was in the way. It was a
great day for the old man.
II met him very courteously" tmeaning curl
ouslyl said Uncle Bob to one of the Presiden is
party, later in the day. just think. oh, Lordy,
that should live sixty-thsee year and then see
| the President
why, Bob is ne the first President you ever
nett"
20 no. I seed General Jackson and Mr..
| Polk. but he is the fust one I ever got in my
hand. This hoss," continued Bob, who mixed
his "reminiscences of the morning with an illus.
trated lecture on horses and merits of the Belle
m ade place, done what no oder boss never did
do and don't reckon no oder will. In
one year ne won all the five big cup races"
How did you like the President. Uncle Bob"
I'm, mes q nuo gentleman, very muC0 30.
Now. sir. youse lookin' at the very finest hoss
ever on American soil in the matter of runnin,
His name is Luke Blackburn. sah He started
in twenty-five races, and won twenty
us he gentle, BobY meaning the horse.
Deed he is. It's the royal blood. Always
will tell Now if you had a scrub in the place
nothin' with him. One end would go around as
fast the other. They'se like people. You jis
got to let em know you amt afraid" Here
Bob. with many a chuckle stopped to tell a
story of the time when he was "a cotin'," and
coming home with little more load than he
was accustomed to carry, entered the stall OF
his favorite stallion, who at q glance, took in
the situation and tore the new suit on Bob's
back to shreds
''And how do you like Mrs. Cleveland, Bob9"
ooh, she do beat 'em all. And she certainly
do know a good boss"
Passing the stables. the trio sauntered out
into the deer park four hundred acres of blue
grass shaded by spreading oaks and ash and
suddenly, as they stood upon knoll taking in
the enchanting beauty of the scene drove Of
past, splendid, large fellows they were scam
pering as if for life and hardly touching the
ground. This, again. was uncle Bobis work.
AS soon the visitors entered the park, he had
the deer corralied in a and then drove
them past in review The Bellemeade farm is
to Nashville what the Alexander stock farm is
to Lexington. Though perhaps less known, it is
locally held to be less valuable, and worthy of
its renown. Its four five thousand acres of
bluegrass are owned In common by the Jackson
brothers-the General and the ex-Senator-who
married two sisters, the Misses Harding, daugh-
tiers of the founder of the establi sbment The
Bellemeade mansion, the present resting place
of the President, is ty pical Southern home of
the highest class. 1t is substantial two-story
brick structure of ample proportions. built with
out much hiagree or Commentator, having
wide portico along it's front. supported by four
lofty wooden pillars. Out houses and domestic
Offices flank it, and village for the negro at
tendants and servants of the place lies little
way back. 1t is the home OF the elder brother,
the General, that of the Judge being mile dis
tant
escorted by General Jackson, drove into Nash
vile TO paw their respects TO Mrs. Polk. At the
request of the visitors. the affair made
informal possible, it being designed merely as
an interchange of courtesies between the lady
of the White House OF forty years ago and the
lady of to-day. There were present by invita-
ton of Mrs Polk, Governor Taylor, Senator
VIM. B. Bate. x-Gov. James D. Porter. Maj. g.
w. Thomas, and several other gentlemen of
prominence of this city and vicinity. The
stately Polk mansion was surrounded by a great
crowd of people of all social grades, all ages and
both sexes, gathered to the President and
Mrs. Cleveland. The visitors received at
the Church street entrance. Governor Taylor
offering his arm to the President, and Mrs.
Cleveland taking that of Mr.. George W. Fall,
and entered the spacious parlor. where Mrs.
Polk stood awaiting them. Governor TAYLOR
made the presentation of the President to Mrs.
Polk. The latter extended her hand and said:
'Mr. President, am indeed delighted to meet
you.
''And to meet you. Mrs Polk, replied the
President: 81 have looked forward to this visit
with a most pleasant authorization"
Mrs. Cleveland presented, and the two
ladies conversed cordially n few minutes. The
other gentlemen present were then presented to
the President and Mrs Cleveland. after which
conversation became general, the President de-
voting himself almost constantly, during the
brief remainder of his stay. to Mrs Polk. He
expressed a fear that the crowds OF to morrow
might be annoying 20 her.
No. it p,eases me-" replied the courtly dame.
ITO see nv people tender sucn an ovatlon 10
President Cleveland"
Then the two turned their conversation to
the White House and Washington. The lady
interested questioner. and the President
q willing informant Mrs. Cleveland was the
object of marked attentions from all the gentle
men present, proving herself captivating lis
tener and charming conversetionalist. One or
those presented was an old lrishman. gentle
man of wealth and culture, who was introduced
by Governor Porter. Mrs. Cleveland expressed
her delight at making the acquaintance of
friend of Governor Porter.
The old eentlemans eyes twinkled as he looked
at her a moment.
Madame" said he, 'there is but one remark
l wish to make. You are puertier than your
pictures"
of Marechal Mel roses the name of her grand
niece Miss Sadie Fall. who. she said, sailed yes
terday from Liverpool for America; she then
invited the party to refreshments. at which each
guest served with glass of sherry seven
ty-five years old. The guests, after visiting the
tomb of President Polk. in the grounds adjoin-
ing the mansion. returned to Bellemeade
Mrs. Villas is quite exhausted by the fatigue
and excitement of the journey from Madison.
and has been confined to her room nearly all
day. 1t is reported tonight doubtful
whether she will be able to proceed tomorrow.
Somebody-exacty who. 1t lis impossible to
demonstrated a canard this evening that a rebel
flag floating in the breeze at one of the
principal corners in the city. Investigation was
Immediately made by representatives of both
the local and outside apress, but no foundation
for the story<could ba gathered. The taio WAS